Cleveland Indians center fielder Michael Bourn, right, makes a catch before colliding with left fielder Mike Aviles during Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels.

Written by

Jamie Samuelsen
Detroit Free Press

One of the reasons some Detroit Tigers fans find it easy to criticize the team is they don't view the AL Central as anything more than the have (the Tigers) and the have-nots (the rest of the division).

Sure, Detroit has won three consecutive division titles. Sure, Jim Leyland guided the team into the playoffs four times during his tenure and into Game No. 163 back in 2009. Big deal. When you're competing against the "competition" the Tigers are, winning the division almost should be mandatory. Anything less should constitute a failure.